Roaches in Chicago hospital kitchens, a school's roach fix, and more
A roundup of 4 pest-control stories on cockroaches and rodents.
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This roundup covers 4 stories on cockroaches and rodents.
Over 200 cockroaches found in Chicago hospital kitchens
Inspectors found more than 200 cockroaches in the cafeteria and patient kitchen at Advocate Illinois Masonic. The kitchens failed their health inspection, and the roaches turned up in more than one spot.
The inspection also found black slime in an ice machine and grease buildup. Old violations from the last inspection remained, and the hospital got citations.
Meals go on at the hospital without a break.
What it means for you: Grease turned up with the roaches, so clean up grease in your own kitchen. Airtight glass containers can help with cockroaches, so keep a few on hand for pantry food.
Source: NBC Chicago
Related reading: How to kill German cockroaches with bait instead of spray.
Clearfield Elementary cockroach problem appears to be over
The cockroach problem at Clearfield Elementary School appears to be over. The latest inspection found no insects in traps. Monitoring will continue.
A health department inspection found the roaches at the start of the school year. The cafeteria at CES closed and emergency steps began. Meals came from the junior-senior high school to the elementary school.
The kitchen got an all-clear in September. The cafeteria now runs, and staff monitor it.
What it means for you: Empty traps are a good sign, and monitoring will continue. Cockroach bait stations are good to have on hand if you ever spot cockroaches at home.
Source: GantNews.com
Boise health agency sets aside $250,000 for Northwest Boise rat problem
Central District Health set aside $250,000. Sarah Garcia, a Northwest Boise neighbor, trapped 62 rats since August 2025 and has seen probably 90.
$100,000 goes to pest control assistance, and the agency will pay vetted, locally owned companies directly.
$55,000 goes to bait. $10,000 pays for testing up to 20 smart traps.
What it means for you: Central District Health will pay vetted, locally owned companies directly for pest control assistance. Keep steel wool gap filler handy, since it can help with rodents at home.
Source: Idaho News 6
Related reading: How to keep mice out of your house with steel wool and traps, Do mousetraps work? Snap traps vs. sound repellers.
Mice can enter a home through a hole as small as a dime
A mouse can slip through an opening as wide as a dime or pencil. Rats need an opening closer to a quarter. Mice frequently move into homes in autumn when nights turn cold.
Mice can chew through expanding foam, plastic screening, rubber, vinyl and wood. Steel wool can rust over time. Mice prefer to run along walls.
Poisoned mice often die inside walls, where they smell and draw insects. Ultrasonic sound is of very little use against rodents.
What it means for you: Mice move indoors in autumn and fit through a hole the size of a dime, so small gaps matter. Mice can chew through expanding foam, rubber, vinyl and wood. For rodents, copper mesh gap filler is a good item to have on hand.
Source: Money Talks News
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